Crayola FAQ: Markers, Colored Pencils, and Classroom Tools – Mistakes I Made So You Don't

Common Crayola Questions (Answered by Someone Who's Messed Up a Lot)

I've been handling school supply orders for about 6 years now – for a mid-sized K-12 district. In that time, I've personally made (and documented) 11 significant ordering mistakes, totaling roughly $3,800 in wasted budget. Now I maintain our team's checklist to prevent others from repeating my errors. Below are the questions I wish I'd asked before my first big buy.

1. Are Crayola Classic Broadline Markers really washable?

Short answer: yes, for most fabrics and surfaces – but there's a catch. The Crayola Classic Broadline Markers (the ones in the iconic 10-, 12-, or 20-count boxes) are formulated with washable ink that comes out of cotton and many synthetics with cold water and a little soap. I assumed 'washable' meant 'always comes off' – until September 2022 when a 3rd grader drew on her polyester gym shorts and the stain stayed. Turned out some polyester blends and aged stains need a pre-treat. So: test on an inconspicuous spot first (which, honestly, I didn't do that day).

2. How many colors are actually in the 150 Crayola Colored Pencils set?

There are exactly 150 distinct colors in the 150 Crayola Colored Pencils set – but don't assume they're all unique across other Crayola lines. I once ordered 150-count for a high school art class, thinking we'd get every shade we needed. The set has 150 different colors (no duplicates), but it doesn't include metallics or neon shades that are standard in other Crayola lines. If you're teaching shading techniques, you're fine. If you need glitter or neon for a specific project, you'll need to buy those separately. That mistake cost us $65 in extra shipping (circa 2023, at least).

3. Why would I need a percent error calculator for Crayola projects?

Believe it or not, when you're doing science cross-curricular lessons – like using Crayola markers for chromatography or color-mixing experiments – students often need to calculate the difference between expected and measured results. A percent error calculator helps them compare their experimental data to the theoretical. I had a teacher ask me in Q1 2024: 'Can you recommend a tool to check our kids' calculations?' Instead of buying a separate calculator, we found free online percent error calculators (just Google it). The key lesson: don't assume your science teacher knows what art supplies you're ordering; ask if they need calculation support.

4. Can I use a final exam calculator to estimate art supply needs?

Kinda – but not directly. A final exam calculator is typically used by students to figure out what score they need to get a desired grade. How does that relate to Crayola? I've used it backward: before a semester ends, teachers often want to know how much marker inventory to keep for finals week projects. I once calculated: 'If 80% of students need washable markers for their final portfolio, and the final exam counts for 20% of their grade...' (this was back in 2021). That approach was flawed. Better: just ask teachers how many students are enrolled and double the usual usage. The final exam calculator was a distraction (surprise, surprise).

5. Where do I find the WPS PIN on my printer to print Crayola activity sheets?

This one stumped me for an hour last October. Teachers often want to print Crayola coloring pages or activity sheets directly from their mobile devices. The simplest connection method is WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). The WPS PIN is usually printed on a sticker on the printer – but not always. For most HP and Brother models, it's on the back or bottom panel. For Canon, you often have to print a network configuration page from the printer menu (hold the Wi-Fi button for 3 seconds). I wasted $45 buying a new printer because I couldn't find the PIN on my old one (turns out it was under the paper tray). Check there first.

6. I almost ordered the wrong marker type – how do you avoid that?

In my first year (2017), I ordered 48-count fine line markers instead of broad line because the product codes looked similar. Fine line markers have a smaller tip and less ink capacity – terrible for young kids. The mistake cost us $320 in exchange fees plus a 1-week delay. Now I keep a simple checklist:

• Broad line markers (the classic chisel tip) – best for early elementary, coloring large areas.
• Fine line markers (thin tip) – better for older students, drawing details.
• Washable vs. regular – always washable for PreK-5.

Your mileage may vary if you're buying for a high school art studio, where fine line might be preferred.

7. Are Crayola products really non-toxic and safe?

Yes – Crayola has been tested and certified non-toxic by the Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI). But I learned never to assume 'washable' means 'safe for ingestion.' In 2022, a kindergartner ate half a colored pencil – and although it was non-toxic, the school nurse still had to call poison control. The outcome was fine, but the parent was upset. So: while Crayola is safe for skin contact and incidental mouth contact, it is not food. Always supervise young children. (Personally, I'd recommend the air-dry clay as a safer sensory option for very young ones – but that's a different FAQ.)